There are three full 5A track and field districts in the San Antonio area. In recent years, San Antonio has been particularly strong at the 5A level and it should be no different this year. The girls still rank ahead of the boys in terms of athletes who can medal at the State meet, but both sides have multiple teams that can compete for a Region title.
Top Boys
Blake Bader, Jr., Alamo Heights - Was strictly a 100m specialist and sprint relay leg last year to great effect. He went to State in the 100m and was lead leg on a State qualifying 4x100m relay team.
Barrett Crofut, Sr., Boerne - He was part of a strong distance squad that only required him to run the 800m which he did quite well. He may be asked to do more this year.
Channon Davis, Sr., Wagner - He missed nearly a month of competition last year and stopped triple jumping after March 6. However, he went 47-7 early in the year and late in the year he ran a 1:55.42 in the 800m. We will hear his name a lot this year.
Kahdyn Freeman, Sr., Pieper - Has yet to get to the State meet but clearly has the bounce to do so. He went over 48-feet in the triple jump over the summer and went 22-10 in the long jump and 45-10 in the triple jump in December.
Aaron Garcia, Sr., Boerne - A State qualifier in the 3200m last year he should be back in the mix again this year. He also has the fastest returning time in the area in the 1600m.
Jack Hollimon, Sr., Alamo Heights - He broke through in a big way last year getting to State in the 300mh after running 38.20 at the Region meet. His biggest competition in both hurdle events may be teammate James Lynch.
Jackson Kerth, Jr., Tivy - He was the wild card qualifier in the shot put and ended up fourth at the State meet. He should be a consistent 60-feet shot putter with discus marks over 170-feet this season.
Jonas Koenning, Sr., MacArthur - He enters the season as the only 5A runner to break 50s in the 400m last year. He is also a strong half-miler and appears primed for a great year.
Cash Lancaster, Sr., Pieper - He just kept dropping time all year long in the 300mh. It will be fun to watch him go head-to-head with the Alamo Heights duo all season long.
James Lynch, Sr., Alamo Heights - Has historically done better in the 110mh compared to the 300mh but is strong in both events. He will try to pick up from where he left off last year.
Liam Magee, Sr., Smithson Valley - Only ran in one regular season meet before uncorking a fabulous postseason run. He ran 10.53 during the Region prelims and then won the Region title to advance to State. Also a starting cornerback on a two-time State champion football team.
Nehemiah Parson, So., Southwest - Had a great freshman season breaking 11s in the 100m four times. He could compete for the Region title this year.
Kaidyn Roland-Brite, Jr., Lockhart - Made the Region finals in the 200m last year and is also a solid long jumper. He could be primed for a big step forward in 2026.
Hans Scheff, Jr., Smithson Valley - He has put together a quality first two seasons and is ready for a big junior year. He has already thrown over 53-feet in the shot put during the indoor season.
Gavin Starnes, Jr., New Braunfels - He became a consistent 14-foot pole vaulter last year. If he follows some of the recent top vaulters in the area he will be approaching 16-feet this year.
Blake Stehling, So., Boerne Champion - Had an amazing season in the throws as a freshman going over 150-feet in the discus and 54-5 in the shot put. I expect big things from him this year.
Logan Tennell, Jr., Pieper - He improved his personal best in the pole vault by two feet between his freshman and sophomore years to 14-6. He has already cleared 14-3 during the indoor season and will be one of the favorites for the Region title.
Elliot Weaver, Sr., Seguin - Has been part of some strong relay teams the last two years and should be fighting for the title of fastest man in the Region this year.
Top Girls
Emarald Aguirre, So., Southside - She rolled through the 2025 season winning the 800m, 1600m and 3200m at the District and Area meets. She should dominate once again this year and the only question is if she can break through at the Region meet.
Paige Beeghley, Sr., New Braunfels - She leads a strong group of pole vaulters. Showed consistency and improvement last year. Looks ready for a big season after clearing 11-6 and 11-9.75 during the indoor season.
Rebecca Bezerra, So., Boerne Champion - A solid freshman season led directly into a great cross country season where she was the #1 runner for the Chargers. She will need to run fast to get out of District 26-5A.
Shyla Boydstun, So., Pieper - She went to State in the 100mh running her best times at the Region and State meets. She was also good in the 300mh but ran her fastest time in the season opener.
Hannah Burkett, Jr., Boerne Champion - Made a big improvement from freshman to sophomore year in both shot put and discus and figures to take the next step this year.
Summer Fayhe, So., Tivy - She might be the best quarter-miler in the area after making the Region finals as a freshman. She will find stiff competition in District 26-5A where the top seven finishers all return from last year.
Aniyah Gill, Sr., Pieper - A top 400m/800m runner in the area. She broke 60s in the 400m and went under 2:17 in the 800m. She will be counted on for another big season.
Prisca Igbo, Sr., Boerne - She was generally better in the 100mh compared to the 300mh but posted a fast 45.81 in the 300mh heading into championship season. She showed continual improvement in the 100mh throughout the season.
Lilly Koenig, Sr., Smithson Valley - What can she do for an encore to her junior season? She was State runner-up in the 3200m and finished fourth in the 800m. The big question is will she tackle the 1600m this year.
Sofia Mitschke, Jr., Smithson Valley - Took fourth in the State in the pole vault and cleared 12-feet at six meets. She has already cleared 12-0 during the indoor season and is primed for another great season.
Savanah Moya, Jr., New Braunfels - One of the top distance runners in the State. She was a State finalist in the 800m and 1600m and has two top-10 State cross country finishes. She will battle with the distance crew from Smithson Valley for area dominance.
Aliya Murphy, Sr., Smithson Valley - A former hurdler who focused almost solely on the high jump last year. Cleared 5-5 at the Area meet and finished fourth in the Region. Should be one of the favorites in the Region.
Alzara Mysliwiec, So., Alamo Heights - One of the top pure 100m sprinters around. She ran back-to-back 12.18s in the Region prelims and finals last year. Could her role expand to the 200m this year?
Daniella Okorie, Sr., Southwest Legacy - She should be at the top of the rankings this year in the 100m and triple jump. She is a unique talent who is set up to have a great season.
Aubrey Pozzi, So., Smithson Valley - She has become one of the best distance runners in the State. Took the Region title in cross country and will challenge the top milers and two-milers on the track.
Leray Rector, Sr., Wagner - She posted quality times in both the 100m and 200m last year. Will she be able to take the next step and get to Regionals in each event?
Hailey Tomlinson, Jr., Pieper - A top level long jumper who went over 17-feet at five meets. She also went to the State meet running the lead-off legs for both the 4x100m and 4x200m relay teams.
Danieliz Villafane, Sr., Southwest - She is the top returner in the discus. She was a district champ and then finished the season with a personal best of 120-0 at the Region meet.
Top Boys Teams
Alamo Heights - They were great last year and have a lot of talent back. A loaded District will make it hard to repeat.
Boerne - If they return all their distance runners from last season they will be formidable. They have a quality throws crew as well.
MacArthur - My pick to win District 28-5A. They took the title last year and return a solid group. Jonas Koenning and Theo Abraham give the team a strong foundation.
Pieper - My pick to win District 26-5A. Their overwhelming depth should carry the day. Their only weakness is in the distance events.
Seguin - My pick to win District 27-5A. Generally strong in the relays and they have a few athletes that can win multiple events at the District level.
Smithson Valley - Liam Magee is a real star on the track, but they need a few others in order to challenge Pieper and Alamo Heights.
Top Girls Teams
Boerne Champion - Beth Leachman gives them an amazing block to build upon and they usually put together excellent relay teams. Their throwers give them an advantage over some of their District competition.
MacArthur - My choice to win District 28-5A. They have a solid group of long jumpers and sprinters and their relays should earn good points at their district meet.
New Braunfels - They are strong in the distance and pole vault. They add in a few solid sprinters and should do well in the throws and high jump.
Pieper - They have a couple studs in individual events and generally do well in the relays. Add in a few solid field event athletes and you have a strong squad.
Sam Houston - My choice to win District 27-5A. They have a strong group of sprinters that should carry the day.
Smithson Valley - My choice to win District 26-5A. They have numerous athletes who could go to State in individual events. They always have a strong 4x400m relay team as well.
Tivy - I wanted to highlight a team that could be a district champion if they were not in 26-5A. They have quality in nearly every event.There are three full 5A track and field districts in the San Antonio area. In recent years, San Antonio has been particularly strong at the 5A level and it should be no different this year. The girls still rank ahead of the boys in terms of athletes who can medal at the State meet, but both sides have multiple teams that can compete for a Region title.
Top Boys
Blake Bader, Jr., Alamo Heights - Was strictly a 100m specialist and sprint relay leg last year to great effect. He went to State in the 100m and was lead leg on a State qualifying 4x100m relay team.